Looking down at the pony laying against me while I scrubbed its mop of hair clean, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of deja vu.

Bathing a horse. I mean, that’s already a weird situation to get into yet here I was again, bathing another horse. Thinking back to the first incident, moments from the bath to the debauched face as she rode the high of her orgasim flashed in my mind and I felt my manhood twitch at the erotic memory. Though I had relieved myself just minutes prior, I felt a new heat in my core beginning to burn hotter as I imagined a repeat of what happened all those weeks ago.

The fuse had officially been lit, whether I wanted it or not, and it would only be a matter of time before the pony seated just above the bomb would realize it too.

oo000OOOO000oo

My damp ears flicked as I felt something brush against my leg. Looking down, I found that the suds that had been rinsed off my mane had obscured my line of sight into the water. Shrugging, I ignored the feeling as I settled back into my comfy warm seat. A few moments later, the feeling returned. I had an idea of what it was, and deciding to see if my guess was correct, I pushed my hindlegs together, trapping a stave-like object between my thighs. The digits that were pulling through my mane suddenly stopped. Leaning forward, I turned around to face the creature before smiling. My guess had been correct.

The creature’s expression said it all as he looked back at me, cheeks painted a light red as he gave an audible gulp. The edges of my lips pulled up as I gave the creature a coy grin, realizing my position of power over the creature. Not one to let a perfect opportunity slip away, I took the bull by the horn, shifting my legs up and down.

Laying back onto the creature’s chest, I took pleasure in listening to the creature above me pant as I stroked the creature’s length with my legs. The creature could hardly do anything with his cock sandwiched between my thighs and his claws which were once running through my mane were now gripping at the edges of the tub. This was a new experience and a weird one, no doubt about it, but the ludicrous novelty of it all made my cheeks turn a deep shade of red as I grinned like a mad mare, still pumping away at the trapped slab of meat.

From between my legs, I could feel the creature’s cock grow larger and larger with each stroke, the width of the monstrous thing creating a gap between my legs. Although, I was the one who started it, I had gotten too caught up in my teasing to think about where this would end. My wry grin began to falter as I started to imagine what might happen. Images of the creature laying atop Feather, pinning the pegasus and leaving her powerless to do anything but cry and moan in bliss as he bred her flashed through my mind, frightening and arousing me to no end.

Would that happen to me?

For a moment I pondered what would happen in this situation. A vivid image appeared in my mind and in it I was laying on the bed, stripped of any form of control with my hooves tied above me, a gag stuffed into my maw, and my legs spread eagle while the creature, hunched over my bound form, slammed into my marehood, only concerned with emptying his balls brimming with foal batter into my pussy.

I need to finish him off, NOW!

Redoubling my efforts, my stroking had become much sloppier as I panicked, trying to satisfy the creature before he would turn his sights on my flank. I could feel my cheeks burning, whether from the exertion or from the image of my potential future, I had no time to think as the creature’s breath could be heard straining. I was nearing the finish line and I intended on getting there, regardless of the burning in my legs, loins, and face. But just as I was about to reach my target, an imprecise movement had caused my legs to slide up and over the creature’s length. To make matters worse, the momentum of my legs had managed to push my legs up and out of the water, causing me to slide down the creature’s body and back beneath the water.

Letting out yelp, the sound was distorted as bubbles floated to the top of the water after I expended the last of my oxygen. Instinctively flailing, I tried to pull myself out from under the water, but my wet hooves could find no purchase as they slid against the sides of the tub. My lungs began to cry for air as my struggle only burned through the remaining oxygen in my system. Before I could die of my own stupidity, my body was lifted up and as my face breached the surface of the water I gasped, breathing in as much air as my lungs could hold. As I panted face up in the water my breathing gradually settled and my heart rate slowed. From my position, I could see something in my peripheral vision and I leaned my head back, causing my even breaths to hitch and my heart rate to speed up once more.

Looking down at me, the upside down figure of the creature could be seen. His cheeks were tinged red and his lips were slightly parted as he breathed softly. His claws could be felt supporting my back, and they could probably feel the thumping emanating from my heart. Just like thirty minutes prior, I was no longer in control as my fate was in the claws of the creature above me.

“Ginht elttil yzarc uoy...”

I still couldn’t understand what the creature was saying but his words felt gentle as they left his mouth. Carefully gripping my sides, he pulled me towards him and as I pressed up against his chest his long forelegs wrapped around me and I could feel his chin rest against my head as he gently squeezed me.

Near instantly, I felt the rapid thumping in my chest slow before being overshadowed by the powerful beats felt from behind my back. Lifting his chin from my head, the creature cooed something in its own language into my ear, causing it to flick at the ticklish feeling. The sensation of being held by this creature was an oddly nostalgic one, a feeling I hadn’t felt since being a foal. In his grasp, though I wouldn’t be able to escape, I wouldn’t have tried. The creature’s embrace felt protective, and then finally I recognized the feeling.

The warm, protective embrace of my parents was what I thought, and in that fraction of a second, I felt my opinion of the creature holding me change. There was no way a scheming, evil creature of the Everfree could show me this feeling. The old memories of being together with my parents started to flood my mind as I discreetly lifted a hoof to wipe away a tear that was threatening to run down my already wet cheek.

The creature said something to me from above. Craning my neck to look him in the eye, the creature was giving me a gentle smile. Suddenly I began to feel the sting of guilt, having teased him so just to have him save and console me.

Ahh! You idiot! Quit smiling at me, are you trying to make me feel bad?

Looking back down to escape the creature’s warm eyes, I crossed my hooves before slumping back against his chest. Oddly enough, the usual firm grip of the creature was loose, causing me to slide unexpectedly down his torso. Thankfully I was caught before I could slide below the surface, but upon closer inspection I realized I wasn’t being held up by his grip. Turning back to the creature with a deadpan stare while he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head while laughing awkwardly. Letting out a sigh, I decided to try and say something to the creature.

“Uhh, don’t worry about it big guy, it was my fault you got like that anyways,” I told the creature, waving my hoof.

Carefully removing myself from the beam supporting me, I stood up in the tub, the water level now as high as my neck. Turning around was a bit of a challenge with the small amount of space available but I made do. Facing the creature, I pondered what to do. I felt bad for how I had treated the creature even before getting into the tub with him, though I hadn’t done anything to him, the way I talked about him was just plain degrading. And then there was getting him all worked up, and there’s how kind he’s been, agh. Thinking about this is really making me realize how much of a flankhole I am. I wanted to try to apologize but he didn’t speak Equish, finding a way to try and make up was going to be pretty hard. Wait, pretty hard… Hard…

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding

An idea popped into my head as I looked past the bubbly water to where the creature’s stallionhood would be. Though it did look intimidating, Feather Pen was able to handle him so that should mean I could handle him as well.

“Hey, stand up and sit on the edge.”

The creature continued to look at me. Sighing, I tried again, speaking while motioning with my hooves.

“Stand up and sit there,” gesturing towards the ledge. Looking behind him, the creature gave a glance towards where I pointed before turning back with an expression I couldn’t read. Pointing at the creature, I tried again.

“You, up,” I say, rearing up on my hindlegs as my front hoof held on to the edge.

“You, there, sit,” pointing back at him, then pointing to the ledge behind him, then finishing by sitting back in the water.

Glancing behind himself once more, he planted his claws on the edge of the tub before pulling his body out of the water. His shaft, still raring from before, was rock solid, but bounced tantalizing as he sat himself on the ledge. Focused solely on the wand of flesh, I waded through the water before coming to stand between the two legs of the creature. Being careful not to knock him back, I reared back and set my forehooves on the creature’s legs before coming face to face with the… Oh I learned a new word from that Stepony Queen book to describe it.

Brobdingnagian. Basically meaning giant or gigantic, both of which applied to the creature and his cock.

Staring the slab of meat down, I gulped, as a soreness suddenly manifested in my jaw. Despite its size and clear heft, it managed a slight upward curve, causing the tip of the shaft to point straight at my nose. Involuntarily inhaling through my nose, I got a nose-full of his scent, causing my eyes to flutter at the prominence of the smell. His scent was rich with the smells of the various soap and shampoos in the bathroom but there was more to it than that, a hint of sweat or perhaps some pheromones from his species. Regardless of what it was, it was beginning to make my head spin as I felt my mouth begin to water.

Opening my mouth I moved to take him, but before my maw could reach its target, I pulled back and approached from a different angle, only to hesitate and pull back before repeating myself. Finally, I closed my mouth after realizing I probably couldn’t do what Feather managed to do. Looking up briefly to the creature, I found that he was staring down at me with a great deal of focus. Meeting my eyes, I could see his throat shift as he swallowed, waiting for me to make a move. Accepting my shortcomings, I settled on doing the next best thing as I circled my tongue around the rounded tip of the creature’s length, ending the motion with a wet muhwa! on the underside of the head.

The cock brushed across my face as my tongue slid against the ridge that ran the length of the underside of the muscle. Coming to the base of the shaft, opening my mouth, I pressed my parted lips to the side of the meaty girth, my tongue pressing on the under belly of the beast. Pulling my lips and tongue over his length, I came to appreciate the incredible length of his spear as my head drew back, tongue tracing over each protruding vein. Closing my eyes, I fell into a steady rhythm, occasionally stopping at the bulbous tip to slather it in spital or to lap and suck at the pair of cannon balls that hung under the heavy artillery.

Though the creature’s breathing picked up, he still was maintaining a firm grasp over his lust, taking in measured breaths as I worked his length. Opening one eye, I peered up at the creature, his eyes shut in concentration as he took controlled breaths. I couldn’t tell if he was holding back or not, but at this rate I would be here all day. Opening up both eyes, I pulled myself up until my lips were pressed against the very front of the creature’s cannon. Taking a deep breath through my nose, my lips parted as they slowly slid over the hot flesh of his pride. I quickly found the slack in my jaw being taken up as the girth of the creature’s stallionhood filled the front of my mouth. Doing my best to manage my breathing, I continued to carefully insert the beginning of the burning masculinity until I felt my head slide forward with relative ease as I felt the ridge that circled the creature’s tip pass my lips.

Taking a moment to collect myself, my eyes went up, trying to catch a glimpse of his face. Straining to look up while keeping the throbbing head in my maw, my magenta eyes met his dark brown eyes and I gave an involuntary gulp, causing his rod to drool a glob of salty pre on my tongue. I could probably imagine what he was seeing from his position, his flushed face and panting made it clear.

A mare’s soft, warm maw cradling his cock as she gives him an innocent upward glance. I could feel myself wink at the thought but I had other matters to attend to. However, before I could try and fit more of the pole of meat into my mouth, a claw reached my head taking an ear between two of his digits and rubbed. Closing my eyes, I let out a hum, the vibrations reverberating against the hose, causing it to leak more. A groan from above broke me from my haze as I refocused on the column of meat.

I placed my hooves at the base of the cock, pressing into each side as I began to move them up and down a short distance. Moving in tandem with my hooves, my tongue slid and curled around the tip as I hummed. Bobbing my head, I was careful to not push too far as I slid back and forth on his thick head.

As I kept up the constant motion, I could feel more and more gooey pre dribble into my maw, making my lips slide over the flesh much faster. The response to the increase in speed was evident as the claw rubbing at my ear cupped the back of my head, assisting me in my movements. Looking up as my head slid back and forth, it seemed my expert care was doing wonders for the creature as he hunched over, groaning as I fellated him.

Feeling particularly bold in that moment, I pulled my head further back leaving the slimy helmet completely exposed, save for the very tip, and in a fluid, lust filled motion, I rocked my head forward going further than before. Gagging as the head, which had been coddled in the front of my mouth, pressed against the back of my throat. Feeling tears begin to well up, I screwed my eyes shut as I continued to draw my head back, only to throw it forwards, causing the engorged head to slam against my tonsils. With each forward movement, my head tilted forwards, my tongue scraping against the underside of the cock before tilting my head back and drawing off of the burning sword of pleasure. The vigorous movements were making an absolute mess as pre and saliva began to spill from between my lips and the cock abusing my maw.

Not long after I had stepped up my game, the creature’s other claw came to hold my head, assisting in stabbing the back of my throat with his spear. My hooves that had been working the lower portion of the creature’s length now supported my up right position. However, one hoof, instead of gripping onto the creature’s leg, moved south down my barrel and over my teats before coming to rest against my button. The brutal treatment of my muzzle and the intoxicating scent of the male using me filled me to the brim with lust, manifesting in me as I pushed my hoof harder and harder into my clit as the ram battering my throat slammed harder and harder.

Labored breaths came and went through my nostrils as I felt myself nearing climax, though I wasn’t the only one as the meat in my mouth throbbed and pulsed against my tongue. The creature above me had said something in between heavy pants, and I took that to mean he was close to release. Taking one last deep breath, I pressed even harder, fully intending to shatter this creature’s mind.

But with that last push, the ram that was beating against my throat breached the gate, forcing the creature’s thickness down my esophagus. My eyes shot wide at the painful intrusion, but rather than pull away, I stayed in place. Feeling the thickness in my throat grow as the tip of the creature’s cock swelled, he came. The first shot of the creature’s burning essence rushed towards my stomach. My eyes had glazed over, tears from the violent face bucking brimming at the edges as my pupils dilated. I mewled softly as the creature pumped his load down my gullet. However, I was running out of air and the creature was nowhere near finished. Drawing the sword from my throat until just the tip sat between my lips, I expelled the depleted air in my lungs before pulling in one last breath before another stream of cum struck my tongue.

My hoof that ground against my marehood had fallen limp and the other hoof that kept me balanced was trembling. The creature had, fortunately, let my head pull back but it held firm, unwilling to let me abandon his firing cannon. The cock, twitching each time it ejected a spurt of cum, caused my head to bounce in time with it. Though only the head was still in my mouth, the remaining space was quickly taken up by the creature’s spunk, causing my cheeks to puff at the excess of cum. And before I could even think to swallow, a final, grand volley of sperm forced in more than I was able to take, causing the excess to leak from my slack jaw. I could feel the hot waterfall of foal filling drip down my chin before falling to the water below with a soft splash.

I blankly gazed forward, too deep in my haze to do anything except swallow and suckle at the cum hose. My legs shook, threatening to give out as the hoof keeping me balanced burned, practically holding my entire weight. My mind only began to come to, when the claws on my head began to pull me off of the twitching member. The head of his cock exited with a pop, a tread of his cum connecting my lips to the stick of euphoria. Still lacking my fine motor skills, a claw lifted my head, and slowly focusing on the silhouette above me I realized who it was.

While I blinked away the confusion, a digit rubbed across my lips and chin, collecting spilt seed before gently prodding at my mouth, encouraging me to open up. My jaw, still feeling slack, easily opened up letting the appendage in as far as its anatomy would allow it as it rested against my tongue. Recognizing the salty taste, I began to suck on his digit like a foal would a teat.

Pulling the digit from my mouth, he replaced the appendage with lips, causing me to mewl as I felt his tongue brush against my own. But as soon as the dance of our wet organs began, he pulled away, leaving my lips cold. Wrapping his forelegs around me, he slid back into the water, relieving my burning legs. Chest to chest, I could feel the creature’s racing heart slow down, however my chest was still heaving.

Though the feeling had put me into a euphoric daze, my hoof had fallen away before I could finish myself off and leaving my marehood desperately awaiting release. The creature seemed to notice my labored breaths and began to rub my back, but as nice as his claws felt there was another place in dire need of a rubbing. The creature looked down to me as I weakly pushed myself off of his chest. Cocking his head to the side as if to ask me ‘what’s the matter’, I responded by reaching for his closest foreleg, pulling the claw at the end of its leg to my chest before gilding it down until the back of its claw pressed against the heat of my burning pussy.

Looking at him with desperate eyes, the situation dawned on the creature, his mouth forming an ‘o’. Reclining, the creature flipped its claw pressing into me as I felt two digits push against my labia, prompting me to gasp. Reaching his other claw behind my back, I felt another pair of appendages pull apart my lips followed by a lone digit that pushed into my snatch. My breaths became shallow, moans slipping out in between heavy pants. I could feel his digit moving inside me, scraping the roof of my canal while the webbing between the claw’s appendages pressed and rubbed against my clit. Pressed against the creature’s chest, I wrapped my hooves around his torso, holding on as the digits pushing my buttons wrecked havoc between my legs. Bucking and grinding against his claw I moaned out in pleasure while my wings splashed water, beating against the surface helplessly.

“Hnnngg, co-come on! I’m not made of glass! H-harder, do it harder!” I cried, my voice straining. My voice was raspier due to the beating my throat had taken earlier.

To my absolute horror, I could feel his claw pulling away from my marehood. Only to replace it with two digits that buried themselves as deep as they could. My scream was strained as the appendages entered me with no warning. The appendages in my cavern stretched and wriggled against the soft walls of my marehood, while the stubbiest digit fiddled with my clit, pressing and rubbing the small nub.

I could hear the creature above me say something that I couldn’t understand. Looking up, my hooves covering my mouth, the creature looking down gave me a mischievous grin before I let out a yelp of surprise and my hooves went back to gripping his torso. His other claw had moved away from my lips and had discreetly grabbed my tail, and gave it a strong upward tug, making me yelp and darkening my already crimson face.

Buck, I was right, he definitely used those claws to get every pony to like him, they just feel too go-OODD~!

If his digits stirring my insides, and the claw pulling my tail weren’t enough, the sharp teeth nibbling my ear would have broken any mare’s mind. The stimulation from everywhere was too much for my body to handle, and the creature must have realized it too as he emitted a low, guttural growl sending a shiver down my spine. Pressing my eyes shut, I could feel my canal overflow as the two appendages pushed as far in as they could. I whimpered, my throat too battered to make a sound louder than that. My walls convulsed around the digits buried in my tunnel as I squeezed the creature hard as I rode out the waves of pleasure.

When the crashing waves had faded to a steady trickle, I felt the smooth appendages slide from my squeezing marehood. Managing to look up to the creature’s face, he held his claw that had been inside of me to his face, his separated digits tethered by a single strand of mare cum. Noticing me out of the corner of his eye, he turned his head, looking at me with lidded eyes. Raising his digits to his lips, he closed his mouth around them, letting out a low hum. Involuntarily swallowing, I quickly turned my head from the erotic action. A laugh could be heard from above me and a moment later a pair of soft lips could be felt on top of my head, causing my already red face to probably turn redder as my ears folded back.

As I laid against the broad chest of the creature, I could feel his claws as they splashed my back with water before rubbing soap through the fur.

Haa~ What’s with this creature and his need to wash ponies…

Minutes passed by in silence as his claws continued to roam my body, lathering me up before rinsing me down. I’m sure I needed a thorough cleaning after the intense tubside exercise. Having just finished with my hindlegs, I could feel myself being lifted up while still in the embrace of the creature. Stepping out of the tub, the creature’s paw made a wet Pap against the floor, followed by a set of clops as he set me down. Standing on shaky legs, I watched the creature to see what he’d do next, and unsurprisingly, he grabbed a pair of towels before hoofing one to me.

I sat down to dry myself and the creature did the same, working from his head down. Now only damp, I tossed the towel onto the bathroom sink and stood up and waited a short while for the creature to finish up. Copying me, he tossed his towel to the sink, landing on mine before moving to the door. Following him out, I gasped lightly as the air from the window blew against my damp fur. Sniffing the air, I was glad to smell that the potent odor was no more.

Walking to the door, I feel a digit poke my flank. Turning around, the creature holds something out to me. Looking at his claw, I see weeks worth of notes held between two appendages being returned to me. Smiling at the irony of the situation, I wave a dismissive hoof at the papers.

“Ah, just toss it,” I say, my throat still sore, as I motion towards the small can next to the dresser closet.

Looking at the can, then back to me, he cocks his head.

“No, no, really it's fine,” I insisted while chuckling at the creature’s antics.

Turning back around he walked over before dropping the stack in. Sticking a feather up, the creature responded in kind with its shortest digit.

“Alright, see you around!”

The creature raising its claw to wave said something in its own language.

“I’ll come visit sometime, see ya!” I replied, still clueless to what he said to me. All I could hope was that my intentions weren’t lost in translation.

Waving back with my own wing, I pushed open the door to his room before trotting down the hall to the exit. As I passed the windows of the castle, I saw the sun falling to the horizon, signaling the coming of night. As I walked through the halls of the castle, I didn’t really think of anything in particular as I recalled various moments from the last few weeks and today, suddenly one thought sprang up to the center of my mind and I groaned. I had neglected weeks of work to spy full time and there would surely be a mountain of paperwork and unfinished tasks awaiting me.

I could already feel the stress that would come from the week ahead of me as my head and shoulders sagged. Just like how I dedicated next to all my waking hours to keeping tabs on the creature, I would likely need to work from sunrise to sunset a couple days straight just to catch up. Meaning no time to practice, hang out with friends or even just do work around the house. Thinking back to the creature whose room I just left, I feel a sliver of envy, living everyday relaxed and carefree, the castle cooks were there to make food, maids would clean his room, leaving him free to wander wherever he so chose.

Having successfully navigated through the corridors of the castle, I pushed the door to the entrance open and strode out, taking in a lungful of crisp, fresh, late summer air. Exhaling, I closed my eyes as I just breathed the refreshing air, reveling in the light breeze that swept through the damp feathers of my wings.

Just thinking about going to work tomorrow is already making me tense…

Oh, maybe I can get a massage after I catch up, but the thought of going to the spa just didn’t sit right with me. Thinking back to the claws that scratched and rubbed my fur, it occurred to me that the creature could be a great alternative to going to the spa. He may not know how to give a proper massage but if his work in the tub was worth anything, I’m sure whatever he did with those useful things would make me feel better.

Legs, back, neck, maybe even my wings. I thought about the great massage that would come in a few days time. But the only problem standing in my way was how to get him to give me one, asking him would have no effect, I could try mimicking it so he copies, show him pictures…

Ugh, I was clueless how I would get a massage out of him. At this rate I might have to settle for another bath. Thinking back to what happened in his room, I remembered how Feather Pen had practically knocked out right after going at it with him. Maybe, just maybe a roll in the sheets would be as effective as a massage…

Pomf

Snapping my head behind me, to my horror, I found both of my wings outstretched. And just like that, I screamed into the sky as my ticket home was once again taken away.

oo000OOOO000oo

Pressing my hand into my chin while my other pulled on the opposite side of my head near my temple, a few pops sounded out as I cracked my neck. Repeating on the other side, my neck let out another chain of cracks. Rolling my head, I moved towards the bed to get the sheets changed and the pony within them cleaned up. I let out another sigh as I mentally prepared myself to wash another horse. I could start a business at this rate. Get one full body wash and get a complementary load of cum for the road.

Peeling the blanket off of lil red, I groaned at the mess that was dripping from her snatch before picking her up, hauling the snoozing creature to the bathroom. With a well placed kick to the knob, the tub was now refilling, leaving me to wait. It wouldn’t have to be deep, I just needed it deep enough to get lil red almost under the water. In all honesty, I was quite surprised to find lil red seeking me out for a roll in the hay, not that I minded, I had my own needs and as long as I wasn’t hurting anyone, I saw it as a win win.

Stepping into the tub, I lowered the pony into the shallow water which caused her to stir. I had learned my lesson from ms. mullet- er, no that doesn't sound right… Blue wings? Pink eyes? Agh, whatever, rainbows it is. After witnessing the rainbow haired horse nearly drown, I was careful to stop the water before it got higher than needed.

On the topic of that lil bugger, that one was right insane. I mean, it was REALLY impressive of her to go as far as she did, not even back home did ladies like to stick their heads on it, not that I got the chance often… Moving on! When my dick slid down her gullet I was torn between pushing forwards and pulling back in abject terror. I didn’t need to be mercing any of the locals right as I’m getting on their good side. But thinking back to the whole incident, it was just confusing as hell. Pony in the closet, gets tied up, gets a free show and bath, gives some of the best head I’ve gotten in my life, then gets the ‘ol feather fingers.

Why was she in the closet, why was lil red mad at her, why did I get sloppy from a horse and why did it want the leat fingies. These were all questions that I had and sadly there would be no easy answer for the foreseeable future, at least not till purple teaches me the language of the land. Classes lately haven’t been doing a lot for me, but I can kinda understand the ponies when they make gestures and what not. It would be a long and tedious next few weeks, I could feel it.

Looking down to the white pony laying in the water, I gave her fluffy chest a scratch which earned me a happy murmur from it. Smiling down at the lil thing, I got to work cleaning. Sure it would be a long and exhausting next few weeks, hell it might take me more than a year to learn just the basics about this new language and world, but something about the day I was having told me it won’t be that bad.

Author's Note

Here's the sequel you all wanted. Took me a while just to find it in my to sit down and write, and it took me even more time to re-read, re-write, and edit. So all I can say is please like the story. And just as a heads up, you can expect a Bonus Chapter in the next few days, if I don't put it off another few months that is.

Anyway do your thing in the comments, ciao.